“Destinations within Canada continue to have great appeal as intention to travel within the country is up 14 per cent over last year among summer leisure travellers,” says Sean Shannon, managing director of Expedia.ca. “Canadians’ enthusiasm to seize the summer with a getaway within Canada or abroad continues to grow – and planning ahead is essential with airline carriers and accommodations, as well as the passport office. Fortunately, Canadian leisure travellers have embraced the power of the Internet to make their summer travel bookings fast and easy as 67 per cent of summer vacationers have made an online booking in the past 2 years.”

Are new U.S. passport regulations keeping Canucks at home?
Among the 81 per cent of anticipated Canadian summer leisure travellers planning to travel in their own backyard this summer, 61 per cent are planning to travel within their own province and 44 per cent are planning to vacation in another province. Canadian leisure travellers intend to travel more to international destinations, with the United States jumping from 16 per cent in 2006 to 22 per cent this year and Europe up slightly from six per cent last year to 11 per cent this year.

Turning travel daydreams into reality
Many Canadians have their heads in the clouds – and travel tops the list of things they daydream about. “Taking a trip and getting away from it all” was chosen by 75 per cent of Canadians, comparable to money (73 per cent), and beating out more free time (42 per cent), sex (40 per cent), shopping (24 per cent), food (19 per cent) and fame at 12 per cent. Women (80 per cent) were more likely to daydream about travel compared to men at 70 per cent.

How to seize the summer and plan your perfect getaway
While Canadians daydream all year long, many (46 per cent) book their summer vacations between March and May. Fourteen per cent of Canadians are eager to seize the summer early and make their travel arrangements by February, while 22 per cent book at the last minute in June or later.

Expedia.ca offers some tips to help you plan the perfect summer vacation:

• Don’t delay getting or renewing your passport - Are you among the 53 per cent of Canadians who don’t have a passport? According to the Passport Canada website, it may take up to ten weeks to process a passport; travellers should apply now if they plan to travel by July.
• No passport? Drive and fly from U.S. - Until 2008, Canadians without passports can still enter the U.S. by car. Expedia.ca makes it easy to search and book flights travelling from border cities like Seattle, Buffalo and Burlington - and often save money doing it!
• Research and book a trip online while at work - Half of Canadians (49 per cent) admit to daydreaming at work, so why not seize the moment and research or book your trip on your lunch break or during downtime? Taking the time to plan a trip in advance generally results in a better vacation experience.
• Visit Expedia.ca for its Seize the Summer sale - Canadians can book their dream summer vacation with 30 per cent off select hotels in Canada, USA, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and select resorts! Visit www.expedia.ca to take advantage of the savings!